‘Alarr,’ she called out, struggling to free herself from their grasp.
It burned his pride that she had seen him like this, crouched on the ground like a wounded animal. The second man struck again, and his shield reverberated from the vicious blow as he deflected it. But Breanne’s presence renewed his resolution to win. He would do anything to defeat his enemies.
Oisin was gloating, and he held his sword aloft. ‘Would you like to witness his death, Breanne? I could make you watch while I sink this blade into his heart.’
Alarr struggled and nearly managed to break away. But at a signal from Oisin, two more soldiers came to restrain him. They bore their full weight upon him, and he fought to free himself from the men.
‘No,’ Breanne said. ‘Let him live.’ Her tone was quiet, tinged with fear. ‘I will do as you command.’
Alarr was about to voice a protest, but he saw her give a slight shake of her head. She had done this on purpose as a distraction. And he needed to take advantage.
Oisin seemed pleased by her response. ‘Good.’ He reached for her wrist and pulled her closer. ‘Look at him.’
Alarr knew that his enemy was trying to demean him in her eyes. Although he ought to feel humiliated, instead he was determined to save her. At that moment, Oisin leaned in and kissed her hard. His mouth was bruising, possessive, and there was no doubt of the message he was sending. The man intended to claim Breanne, forcing her to do his will.
At that moment, Alarr wanted nothing more than to bury his blade in the man’s heart. But first, he had to free himself from his captors to reach his weapon.
‘Oisin!’ came a man’s voice. It was Feann. His face was swollen, his lip bleeding as he held out his sword. ‘Let her go.’
Oisin turned, and Alarr used the moment to push back against the men holding him down. He rolled away and managed to rise to his feet, though his knees were burning from the pain. He refused to give up and would willingly sacrifice his life for hers. Never would he allow Oisin to claim her.
Despite the pain, Alarr held his weapon and charged forwards, heedless of the soldiers. His only concern was reaching her before his enemy could harm her. Before he got very far, the other fighters flanked him. King Feann rushed forward with his sword and joined at Alarr’s side. It was strange to realise that the man he’d tried to kill was now defending him and fighting alongside him. The clanging sound of iron resounded as the king blocked an enemy’s sword. They moved back to back, facing off against their common foes. Breanne’s face still held worry, yet she appeared startled by the sight of them together.
Oisin’s mouth tightened, and he gripped her arm, moving towards the back of the ringfort. Alarr doubled his efforts against his opponents. He wasn’t about to let him take Breanne.
‘Go after her,’ Feann commanded. ‘I’ll hold them off with our men.’ Just as he’d predicted, several of the Killcobar soldiers joined in. And then, to his surprise, some of the Clonagh men joined at Feann’s side.
Alarr didn’t argue but hurried towards Breanne. Oisin stopped in the centre of the ringfort in a silent challenge. He held Breanne around the waist, and with his left hand, he reached under her skirt.
No. He would not stand by and let his enemy defile Breanne. Alarr raced towards them, but Oisin withdrew a hidden blade that had been strapped to Breanne’s thigh. He held it against her throat and gave a mocking smile. ‘Let her go, Lochlannach. And I might let you live.’
He pressed the blade against Breanne’s skin until blood welled. The sight of her suffering ignited Alarr’s fury, but he didn’t dare move again for fear that Oisin would cut her throat.
‘I don’t think you want to come any closer,’ his enemy continued. ‘Or it will be your fault she died. Just like your first wife, wasn’t it?’
Alarr didn’t know how Oisin had any knowledge of Gilla, but he remained motionless. His mind tried to think of another way to save her, and he glanced back at Feann. The king and their men had pushed back the other fighters, but he held his sword and shield in readiness.
‘If you harm Breanne, you will lose Clonagh,’ Alarr warned. ‘Her people will defend her.’ He had already witnessed that, when the men of Clonagh had joined Feann in the fight.
‘These people have never seen her before,’ Oisin scoffed. ‘They care nothing for her fate.’
‘And what of me?’ came a voice. Treasa emerged from one of the dwellings, and she pulled her hood back to reveal her face. ‘Do you not think my people would defend me?’
Oisin’s gaze turned mocking. ‘If they cared, they would have brought you out of exile.’ He surveyed the lands and added, ‘They need a strong leader to guide them.’
‘They don’t need a tyrant,’ Breanne countered. She stared at Alarr in a silent message of her own. She appeared poised and courageous in the face of danger. But he worried that she would fight back. He didn’t want to risk her being hurt.
‘Oisin, do not do this,’ Treasa pleaded. ‘There is no need for fighting.’ She stepped between them and pleaded, ‘Put down the blade. Breanne has already agreed to wed you.’
Alarr tightened his grip on his weapon. He knew the woman was lying, but he couldn’t guess what she was trying to accomplish.
Yet Oisin did not lower the knife. Instead, he addressed the crowd. ‘I want everyone to know that I will always guard Clonagh from outsiders.’ He stared at the people, and many looked away, out of fear. ‘No one will threaten me or those I
